Voltage-regulator.



No. 824,225. PATENTED JUNE 26, 1906. R. WIKANDER.

VOLTAGE REGULATOR. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 19,1905.

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WITNESSES:

5 I? m/am 6, 665% 7 ATTORN EY INVENTOR No. 824,225. PATENTED JUNE 26; 1906.

R. WIKANDER.

VOLTAGE REGULATOR. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 19,1905.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

6 %@Z/% 27% am ATITORNEY PATENTED JUNE 26, 1906, R. WIKANDER.

VOLTAGE REGULATOR.

APPLIUATION FILED JUNE 19,1905.

SHEETS-SHEET 3.

ATTORNEY No. 824,225. PATENTED JUNE 26, 1906. R. WIKANDER.

VOLTAGE REGULATOR.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 19, 1905.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

5. Big. 6.

WITNESSES:

UbQ/c/ZM/ subject of 'fied smoothly and gradually between minimum- UNITEI) STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RAGNAR WIKANDER, OF EDGEWOOD PARK, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A GOR- PORATI ON OF PENNSYLVANIA.

VOLTAGE-REGULATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Iatented June 26, 1906.

Application filed June 19,1905. Serial No. 265.983.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RAGNAR WIKANDER, a the King of Sweden and Norway, and a resident of Edgewood Park, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Voltage-Regulators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to voltage-regulators, and particularly to such regulators as vary the voltage applied to a circuit 'by varying the active length of atransforrher-winding.

The. object of my invention is to provide an improved form of regulator of the type speciwhereby the voltage may be varied 1 and maximum limits.

In Patent No. 620,365, granted February 28, 189.9, to 'the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company 'as assignee of Norman Rowe is shown and described a method of regulating the eleetromotive force of a circuit which is supplied by a transformer, the

' active length of a winding of which is variable,

the electromotive distributing-circuit.

that consists in first inductively varying force within limits corresponding'to a'division of the winding, then cutting such division either into or out of circuit, and repeating such operations until the desired change in electromotive force is secured.

The means employed for inductively varying the electromotiveforce within limits corresponding toa division of the transformerwinding, as shown in the patent, comprises an induction-regulator the secondary winding of which is adapted to be connected between alternate leads from the transformer- Winding, the remaining transformer-leads being adapted to be connected directly to the When practicing the method by this means, the voltage of the circuit is gradually increased or decreased during alternate periods, the voltage of the circuit remainim unaffected during the intervening perio s. The Qnductionregulator serves to so raise or I circuit that when circuit connection with the transformerwinding is changed substantially no difierenceof potential exists between the circuit-terminal and thepoint in the transformer-winding with which connection is made or broken.

lower the voltage of thej My invention is an improvement over the means set forth in the aforesaid patent; and

it consists in successively connecting the respective terminals of the secondary winding of the induction-regulator to consecutive leads from the transformer-winding, a terminal of the distributing-circuit being connecti ed to approximately the middle point of the secondary winding of the regulator. I thereby obtain a smooth and steady variation of l voltage between the minimum and maximum limits without the occurrence of periods during which no variations in the voltage take place while the regulator is in operation.

My invention differs further from that set forth in the aforesaid patent in that changes in the connections of the regulator-winding with the transformer occur only when the voltage of the distributing-circuit is less than or exceeds. the voltage that may be derived from the ngx't successive lead by half the difference of 'potential between consecutive leads. I

When very large amounts of current are supplied to a distributing-circuit, it is generally desirable that the current be conducted by a plurality of switch devices in order that the dimensions of the contact members may not exceed practical limits and also in order to provide against interrupting the circuit further provide the regulator with a plurality of secondary windings arranged in parallel relation, which are adapted to be connected, respectively, between adjacent sets of successive transformer leads 1 and the middle points of which are connected, respectively, to points in an inductive winding, which in turn has its middle point connected to a conductor of a distributing-circuit and which equalizes the voltage delivered to the circuit by the secondary winding.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings is a diagrammatic view of a system of distribution embodying my invention. Figs. 2 and by a single switch. For this reason I may 3 are diagrammatic views of systems embodying modifications of my invention. Fig. 4 illustrates diagrammatically a system as arrangedin accordance with my invention for regulating the volta e when large amounts of current are supplie to the distributing-circuit.

1 illustrating specific circuit conditions which Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 are diagrams.

may be obtained in the use of the system shown in Fig. 4.

A transformer-winding 1. which may be supplied with energy from a trolleyconductor 2 and a track-rail 3 or from any other suitable source, subdivided by means of leads 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 in the circuits in which switches 10, 11, 12, 13, 1 1, and 15 are respectively located. The switches may be provided with operating magnet-windings 16, the circuits of which may be supplied with energy from a battery 17 or from any other suitable source and which are controlled by means of a master-switch 18. If desired, the switches may be operated by any other suitable means, such as by fluid-pressure, and their operation may be controlled in any other suitable manner.

The corresponding stationary contact-terminals of switches 10, 12, and 14 at one side are connected together and to one terminal of the secondary winding 19 of a voltage-regulator 20, and the similar corresponding contact-terminals of switches 11, 13, and 15 are connected to ether and to the other terminal of the secondary Winding 19, the middle or any other suitable intermediate point 21 of which is connected to a distributing-conductor 22, between which and a second distributing-conductor 23 motors 24 or any other suitable translating devices may be connected.

Primary winding 25 of the voltage-regulator 20 may be connected between distributing-conductor 23 and any suitable point in the transformer-winding, such. as the point 26, or it may be supplied with energy from anyother suitable source. The inductive relations of the regulator-windings 19 and 25 are adjustable, and any suitable means, such as a manual]y-controlled shaft 27, may be employed for adjusting these relations, the shaft 27 being provided with means for effecting simultaneous operation of a masterswitch 18, such as a pinion 28, that meshes with a rack 29, which is attached to the drum of the device 1.8. Obviously any other suit able means may be employed for operating the induction regulator and the controllingswitch 18 simultaneously, that which I have here shown being onlyillustrative of any suitable device.

In order to explain the operation of my in-.

vention, it maybe supposed that the controlling-shaft 27 is rotated so as to bring controller 18 into position a, thereby effecting closure of switch 10, and so as to bring primary winding 25 of the voltage-regulator 20 into such an inductive relation to the secondary winding 19 that the difference of potential existing between the distributing-conductors 22 and 23 will be less than that existing between the lead 4 and distributing-conductor 23 by an amount equal to the maximum raising or lowering effect of the regulator or half of that existing between successive leads 4 and 5 from the transformer winding 1. As the controlling-shaft 1.7 is rotated the induct ive relations of the windings 25 and 19 may be so varied that the voltage applied to the distributing-circuit will gradually become equal to the difference of potential existing between lead 4 and distributing-conductor 23, and if it is further rotated the voltage derived from the transformer-winding will be gradually supplemented by a voltage derived from the inductive regulator 20. When the controller 18 approaches position I), switch 11 closes and current will be supplied to the distributing-circuit through leads 4 and 5 and both halves of secondary winding 19 of the induction-regulator, and under these conditions the voltage of the distributing-circuit will be equal to that existing between the distributing-conductor 23 and a point in the transformer-winding 1 intermediate the leads 4 and 5. As the controller 18 approaches position c the circuit of the operating magnetwinding of the switch 10 is interrupted, thereby allowing the switch to open and the voltage applied to the distributing-circuit will be less than the difference of potential.

existing between lead 5 and distributing-conductor 23, but will gradually approach that value and then exceed it, as before described. Inasmuch as the operation of the system continues in the same manneras that described for the first few steps it is deemed unnecessary to set forth its operation more in detail.

It is to be observed that the terminals of the secondary winding of the regulator are connected, respectively, to consecutive leads from the transformer-winding and changes'in connections of the secondary winding to the transformer-winding occur only when the voltage of the distributing-circuit is less than or exceeds the voltage that may be derived from the next successive transformer-lead by half the difference of potential existing between consecutive leads. abled to obtain a smooth variation in the voltage applied to the distributing-circuit, between the desired limits, without the occurrence of periods during which no efiect upon the voltage of the circuit occurs while the voltage-regulator is in operation.

In many cases it may be desirable to dis pense with the use of indepen dently-operated switches, such'asareshown in Fig. 1, and to employ instead. a cont-roll er which may be operated directly bythe same means as effect operation of the inductive regulator, and in Fig. 2 I have shown such a modification of my invention. The controlling-shaft 27 is provided with a pinion 28, which meshes with a rack 29, that is attached to a controllerdrum 30. The drum is provided with suitable conducting-strips 31, which are adap. ed to engage contact-fingers 32, and thereby control the circuit connections' I am thereby ennected to the distributing-conductor 37, it

in Fig; 3 I have shown a secondary winding 33 of an induction-regulator 34, one terminal of which is connected to approximately the middle point 35 of the primary winding 36 and the other terminal of which is conbeing possible to employ such a combination if desired. Many other arrangements and modifications may be employed without del arting from the spirit of the invention. l hen the amounts of current to be coni ducted by the switch devices are very large, I it may be found desirable to provide a system such I haveillustrated in Fig. 4, in which an imluction-rcgulator 38 is provided with a plurality of secondary windings 39, 40, 41, and 42, that are arranged in parallel relation and may be connected, respectively, between adjacent sets of successive transformer-leads by means of a suitably-constructed controller 43, which is operated 'in a manner similar to that before described. With such an arrangement the middle points of the secondary windings or other suitable points ini tcrmediate their terminals should be so connected to an inductive winding 44 that the ampere-turns in the winding on either side of 21 point 45 therein, to which the distributingconductor 46 is' connected, shall be approximately equal, this winding serving to equalize the voltages that are supplied to the circuit by the respective secondary windings. As here shown, the middle points 47 and 48 of secondary windings 39 and 42 are connected, respectively, to the terminals of the .winding 44, and the middle points 49 and 50 of secondary windings 40 and4l are connected to points 51 and 52. respectively, in the winding 44, located approximately equidistant from the point 45 in the winding 44.

Since it is diilicult to describe the circuit conditions when the regulator occupies its various positions, I have prepared diagrams of such circuit conditions, the diagram of Fig. 5 illustrating the circuit conditions when the controller 43 occupies position a, Fig. 6 representing the conditions when the controller occupies a position approximately midway between positions a and b, Fig. 7 representing the conditions when the controller occupies position b, Fig. 8 representing the conditions when the controller occupies a position approximately midway between positions I) and c, and Fi 9 representing the conditions when the controller occupies position 0. Since the remaining SL6 s in the operation of the regulator are in a l respects similar to those h :e shown, it is deemed unnecessary to further describe or show these steps.

The object of the arrangement shown in Fig. 4 is to provide a pluralitv of patlis for the current through the switch devices, and thereby ,permit of the employment of contact-terminals of more practical dimensions than could otherwise be employed and prevent interruption of the circuit by means of a single pair of contact-terminals. Such an arrangement permits the controlling of circuits which conduct v ry large amounts of current by means of comparatively simple and inexpensive apparatus 'and without injury thereto by reason of burning and arcing of the contact-terminals I claim as my invention- 1. The combination with a distributingcircuit and a transformer-winding having leads extending from several points therein, of a voltage-regulator having windings the inductive relations of which are variable, and means for successively connecting the respective'terminals of one of the regulatorwindings to consecutive leads from the transformer-Winding.

2. The combination with a distributing circuit and a transformer-winding having leads extending from several points therein,

of a voltage-regulator having windings the inductive relations of which are variable, and

means for successively connecting the respective terminals of one of the regulatorwindings to consecutive leads from the transformer-winding, a point intermediate the terminals of the regulator-winding being connected to the distributing-circuit.

3. The combination with a distributingcircuit and a transformer-winding having leads extending from several points therein,

of a voltage-regulator having'windings theinductive relations of which are variable, and

means for successively connecting the respective terminals of one of the regulatorwindings to consecutive leads from the trans former-winding, changes in the connections of the regulator-winding with the transformer occurring only when the voltage of the distributing-circuit is less than or exceeds the voltage that may be derived from the next successive lead by half the "difference of potential between consecutive leads.

4. The combination with a distributing circuit and a transformer-winding havmgleads from several points therein, of avoltageregulator having primary and secondary windings the inductive relations of which are variable and means for successively connecting the respective teri 'nals of the secondary winding of the regulator to consecutive leads from the transformer-Winding.

5. The combination with a distributingcircuit and a transformergwinding having leads from several points therein, of avoltageregulator having primary and secondary windings the inductive relations of which are variable and means for successively connecting the respective terminals of the secondary winding of the regulator to consecutive leads from the transformrr-winding, a point intermediate the terminals of the secondary winding being connected to the distributingcircuit.

5. The combination with a distributingrcuit and a trensformenwmdmg having leeols from several points therein, of a voltageregulator having primary and secondary windings the inductive relations of which are variable and means for successively connectthe respective terminals of the secondary winding or the regulator to consecutive leads from the transformer-winding, a point 1. ermediate the terminals of the secondary winding being connected to the distributing-circuit and changes in the connections of the regula tor-windin to the transformer-leads occurring only when the voltage of the distributingcircuit is less than or exceeds the voltage that may be derived from the next successive lead by half the difference of potential between consecutive leads.

7. The combination with e distributing circuit and a plurality of leads extending from a source of multivoltage, a voltageregulator having windings the inductive relations of which are variable, and means for successively connecting the respective terminals of one of the regulator-windings to consecutive leads.

8. The combination with a distributingcircuit and a plurality of leads extending from a source of mnltivoltagc, a voltagercgulator having windings the inductive rclations of which are variable, and means for l successively connecting the respective torminals of one of the rcgdlotor-windings to consecutive leads, a point intermediate the terminals of the regulator-winding being connected to the distribribing-circuit.

l). The combination with a distributingcircuit and a plurality of leads extending from a source of multivoltagc; a voltagercgulator having windings the inductive rclotions of which are variable, and means for successively connecting the respective tcrminals of one of the regulator-indmgs to consecutive leads, changes in the connection of the regulator-winding with the leads occurring only when the voltage of the distributing-circuit is less than or exceeds the vol tage that may be derived from the next sucsec,

1 l i l i 1 i l l l I I i l l cessive lead by half the difference of potential between consecutive leads.

10. The combination with a distributingcircnit and a transforiher-winding having leads extending from several points therein, of a voltage-regulator having a primary winding and a plurality of secondary windings arranged in parallel relation, means for connecting the secondary windings respectively between successive terminals, an inductive winding, connections between the same and points intermediate the terminals of the secondary windings, and circuit connections to the inductive winding at such points that the ampere-turns in the winding on both sides thereof shall be equal.

11. The combination with a distributingcircuit and a transformer-inding having leads extending from several points therein, of a voltage-regulator having a primary winding, a plurality of secondary windings arrangcd in parallel relation, means for connecting the secondary windings respectively between adjacent sets of successive transformer-loads, an inductive winding, connections between the same and approximately the middlc points of the secondary windings, and circuit connections to the inductive winding at approximately its middle point.

12. The combination with a distributingcircuit and a plurality of leads from a source of multivoltage, of a voltage-regulator having a primary winding and a plurality of secondarv windings arranged in parallel rela- 

